Kansas rent assistance programs are easy to find if you know where to look! We’ve scoured the internet and countless resource directories to put together the most comprehensive and complete guide to rent relief programs in this area.
Statewide Kansas Rent Assistance
There are many statewide rent relief programs that help people across Kansas. These programs may be able to help you, no matter where you live in the state.
Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance (KERA)
The KERA program is the official Kansas state rent relief program for the COVID-19 pandemic. This fund can help you pay for rent and utilities. In fact, they can provide up to 15 months of rental assistance through this program!
In order to be eligible for this program, you must meet all of these criteria:
- You must be a renter in Kansas.
- Your total 2020 household income must not exceed 80% of the Area Median Income.
- At least one member of your household must have experienced a financial hardship that was either directly or indirectly caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This could include receiving unemployment benefits, having a reduction of income or facing significant COVID-related expenses (like higher rent bills, child care costs, personal protective equipment, medical bills, etc).
- At least one member of your household must at risk of homelessness or be uncertain where they would stay if they don’t receive assistance.
You can apply for this program online. Proof of identification is required.
Area Agencies on Aging
Some Area Agencies on Aging may be able to provide Kansas rent assistance in the form of Section 8 Housing Choice vouchers or other financial assistance. This service is provided by the Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging, which serves the 28 counties in southwest Kansas.
Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities are an excellent resource for low income families in Kansas. As we’ve been researching rent resources across the US, we’ve found that Catholic Charities often offers assistance with rent.
For example, Catholic Charities of Northern Kansas can help with up to $200 per year toward your rent. They also provide assistance with utilities, prescriptions, predatory debt relief, disability assistance, catastrophic illness assistance and more. This organization serves 31 counties in northern Kansas from three locations (Hays, Manhattan and Salina).
- The Hays office serves Cheyenne, Decatur, Ellis, Gove, Graham, Logan, Norton, Phillips, Rawlins, Rooks, Russell, Sheridan, Sherman, Thomas, Trego and Wallace Counties.
- The Manhattan office serves Clay, Dickinson, Geary, Jewell, Republic, Riley and Washington Counties.
- The Salina office serves Cloud, Ellsworth, Lincoln, Mitchell, Osborne, Ottawa, Saline and Smith Counties.
Community Action Agencies
There are eight community action agencies in Kansas that may be able to provide Kansas rent assistance, even if you don’t qualify for other assistance programs. These funds are made available through Community Services Block Grants and other sources.
- Community Action Inc serves Clay, Cloud, Dickinson, Ellsworth, Greary, Lincoln, McPherson, Ottawa, Russell, Saline, Shawnee and Wabaunsee Counties.
- East Central Kansas Economic Opportunity Corp serves Anderson, Coffey, Douglas, Franklin, Johnson, Lyon, Miami, Morris, and Osage Counties,
- Economic Opportunity Foundation serves Wyco County.
- Harvest America Corporation serves Barton, Cheyenne, Decatur, Ellis, Finney, Ford, Gove, Graham, Grant, Gray, Greeley, Hamilton, Haskell, Hodgeman, Kearny, Lane, Logan, Meade, Morton, Ness, Norton, Phillips, Rawlins, Rooks, Rush, Scott, Seward, Sheridan, Sherman, Stanton, Stevens, Thomas, Trego, Wallace and Wichita Counties.
- Mid-Kansas Community Action Program serves Barber, Butler, Chase, Clark, Comanche, Cowley, Edwards, Greenwood, Harper, Harvey, Kingman, Kiowa, Marion, Pawnee, Pratt, Reno, Rice, Stafford and Sumner Counties.
- Northeast Kansas Community Action serves Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jackson, Jefferson, Jewell, Leavenworth, Marshall, Mitchell, Nemaha, Osborne, Pottawatomie, Republic, Riley, Smith and Washington Counties.
- Southeast Kansas Community Action serves Allen, Bourbon, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Crawford, Elk, Labette, Linn, Montgomery, Neosho, Wilson and Woodson Counties.
- Wichita Sedgwick County Community Action Partnership serves Sedgwick County.
Tenant-Based Rental Assistance
The Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program by Kansas Housing Corp can provide assistance with rent, security deposits and utility deposits for income-eligible households. This program is administered by local county agencies called “grantees” that distribute the grant funds.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a great resource for rent help and other needs. It appears that The Salvation Army offers a number of resources in Kansas, including rent relief. They may also offer help with diapers, food, holiday programs, household goods, prescription assistance, transportation expense assistance, utility assistance, vision screenings and much more.
Nationwide Rent Assistance
Don’t forget to check our nationwide list for even more rent assistance grants! We don’t want to repeat everything in this post, but we’ve found some incredible rent relief programs that help people all across the United States! Check it out!
Local Kansas Rent Assistance
Of course, there are many local organizations, churches and other agencies that offer assistance with rent at a local level. You will need to live within a certain geographic boundary to receive assistance from one of these programs.
Ellis County
First Call for Help
First Call for Help provides rental assistance for residents of Ellis County. In order to receive assistance, you must be an established resident of the county. That means you must have paid the deposit and first two month’s rent in full. This location can also assist with diapers and Meals on Wheels.
Labette County
Labette County Emergency Assistance Center
The Labette County Emergency Assistance Center provides help with food, rent and utilities. You must be a Labette County resident to receive assistance.
Marion County
Family Financial Assistance Network
The Family Financial Assistance Network can provide limited financial assistance to low income families in Marion County who need help with rent, utilities, or other necessary bills. According to their website, the maximum amount one family can receive per year is $250.
Montgomery County
Community Access Center
The Community Access Center offers a monthly food basket, as well as limited financial assistance with utilities and rent.
Riley County
Manhattan Emergency Shelter Inc.
This organization provides a transitional shelter, supportive housing program and homeless rental assistance program. Households in Manhattan or Riley County that are transitioning from homelessness or experiencing a housing crisis may be able to get some assistance.
Sedgwick County
Center of Hope (Wichita area)
Center of Hope connects Wichita-area residents with emergency Kansas rent assistance and utility assistance. This program is only available to those who are facing eviction or utility disconnection. In order to be eligible, you must reside in Wichita or one of the surrounding counties. This agency also offers case management, budget counseling, assistance with traffic fines and used bikes.
Dear Neighbor Ministries
Dear Neighbor Ministries administers a Hilltop Neighborhood Emergency Assistance program that can provide flexible financial assistance, case management services, educational resources and more to help you maintain your housing. They can also help with food, tax assistance, and more.
Shawnee County
Doorstep Topeka
Doorstep offers rent assistance, food, clothing, prescription assistance, gas vouchers, bus tickets and more to Topeka residents in need. Rental assistance is limited to once in a 12-month period.
Let’s Help Inc.
Let’s Help Inc. provides many helpful services to the local community. They provide assistance with rent and utility payments, help with prescription medications or tooth extractions, adult basic education programs, workforce services and job training (especially for Kansans age 55+), free community lunches, food boxes, clothing, and work supplies.
Nicole Thelin
Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.